Power well pumping unit



Nov. 9, 1943. R. P. GRAYsoN POWER WELL PUMPING UNIT Filed Feb. 10, 193910 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nv- 9, 1943 R P. GRAYsoN 2,333,857

POWER WELL PUMPING UNIT Filed Feb. 10. 1939 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 OR. INV

0 l Q w w 9 2 W 5 4 7 71 l 0 7 /I|Y .Iv N n e. 2 9 Q, 7/ ,7 J l- \w\ j9, ,4 Hu y vvk XY, 5 I m l, H Aff/ nv/V/// 1T A w l 7, 22N

ill lllllll Nov. 9, 1943. R. P. GRAYsoN 2,333,857Y

PowER WELL PUMPING UNIT Filed Feb. 10, 1939 losheets-sheet 4 @MPHFR/weon! 8 INV 0R.

ATTORNEY.

Nov. 9, 1943. R P. GRAYsoN POWER WELL PUMPING' UNI'I` Filed Feb. 10.1939 1Q Sheets-Sheet 5 NOV 9, 1943 R P. GRAYsoN 2,333,857

POWER WELL PUMPING UNIT Nov. 9, 1943. R P. GRAYsoN POWER WELL PUMPINGUNIT Filed Feb. 10. 1939 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Nov. 9, 1943. R. P. GRAYsoN2,333,857

POWER WELL PUMPING UNIT Filed Feb. 10. 1939 lasheets-sheet s ala?,

Nov. 9, 1943. R. P. GRAYsoN POWER WELL PUMPING UNIT 10 Sheets-Sheet 9Filed Feb. l0, 1959 I )f ENTOR.

H VSOM ATTORNEY.

NOV. 9, 1943. R, P GRAYSON 2,333,857

POWER WELL PUMPING UNIT Filed Feb. 1o, 195s io sheets-sheet 1o PatentedNov. 9, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT oFElcE POWER. WELL PUMPING UNIT RalphP. Qrrayson, Brooklyn, N. Y'. e Application February 10, 1939, SerialNo. 255,658

(Cl. 10S- 46) Y 3 Claims.

This invention relates toa power producing apparatus and moreparticularly to an apparatus for lifting well fluids through the mediumof gas pressure originating at the surface and applied to operate themovable elements of apparatus in the well.

The principal object of the invention is to provide means functioning asa governor to control the movements of the main piston should the wellfluid fall below the intake port of the apparatus, thereby reducingmaterially the speed of the piston and consequently wear on the parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thischaracter which will operate in a well of any depth with equal eiiciencywith dry" tubing; with no possibility of mixing the operating iluid withthe well fluid while the former is applied in operating the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide for introducing theapparatus by means of tubing into a well with means for resisting influxof well uid into the apparatus above a predev by reference to theaccompanying drawings, in

termined point as the latter is lowered into a well inclined to flow,yet without interfering with therise of the well fluid outside the tool,and which fluid is removed from the well by a lateral connection at thewell casing head, under control of a conventional oil saver.

Stil1 another and important object of the invention is to provide meansfor maintaining a pressure diierential between the well iuid andoperating fluid to expedite exhaust of operating fluid into the columnof oil in which the tool may be submerged. This means is effective inpreventing locking or centering of the mechanism which would requirethat the tool be withdrawn and reset for further operation.

Still another object of the invention resides in the ease and readinessby which the parts of the apparatus can be assembled and especially isthis feature important of the elements near the top of the assemblywhich are so related that in preparing the pressure tube for introducinga pressure medium into the tool, necessary manipulations of parts of thetool can be effected without displacing any parts such as packing andthe like.

Yet another object of the invention is to aiord a trap in whichparticles of scale or other foreign matter is thereby clogging the portsor passages through which operating pressure is constrained to pass'.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide for introduction intothe tool of casing fluid should it be desired to swab the tubing priorto prevented from entering and 'in part of Figure 1.

which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the extreme upperend of a device constructed vin accordance with the present invention.

- Figure 2 is a similar view and a continuation Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7are views similar to Figure 1 and continuations thereof.

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view of a portion of Figure 1 and takenat right angles thereof.

Figure 9 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 9 9 ofFigure 1.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 are views similar to Figure 9 taken on theirrespective lines of Figure 1.

Figures 13 and 14 are horizontal cross sectional views taken on the linel3-l3 and |4-I4 of Figure 2.

Figures 15 and 16 are horizontal cross sectional views taken of theirrespective lines of Figure 3.

Figure 17 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line I'l-Ilof Figure 4.

Figures 18, 19 and 20 are horizontal cross sectional views taken ontheir respective lines of Figure 5. I

Figures 21, 22 and 23 are transverse vertical sectional views showingthe control valves and trigger mechanism in their lowered positions.

Figure 24 is a transverse vertical sectional view of a slightly modiedform of the device.

Figures 25, 26 and 27 are horizontal cross sectional views taken ontheir respective lines of Figure 24. A

Figure 28 is a transverse vertical sectional view of still anothermodificationof the present invention,

Figure 29 is a view similar to Figure 28 and a continuation in partthereof, and

Figure 30 is a schematic diagram of the operating parts of the inventionand illustrating the course of operating uid therethrough.

being internally screw threaded at its upper end.

An upper member 34 comprising the top of the unit and having the tubing32 secured thereto is attached to the jacket 33 by means of screwthreads. The tubing 32 is secured to an upwardly extending boss 35 onthe member 34, said boss having a bore 36 extending therethrough. Thisbore 36 is enlarged at 31 within the member 34 whereby the fluid beingpumped from a well may enter therein as will hereinafter be explained.An elongated cylindrical member 38 is inserted in the jacket 33 andsecured therein by the internal screw threads of said jacket, butseparated from the member 34 by a suitable gasket 39. An axial bore 40extends through the member 38 and communicates with an axial passage 4|in a member 42. A seat 43 is formed at the extreme lower end of the bore48 in the member 38.

A pumping medium such as air or gas under pressure is introduced intothe device by means of the usual tubing or macaroni string 44. The lowerend of the string is connected by means of screw threads to a valvehousing 45 having a spring controlled ball valve 46 therein. A secondstring 4l is suitably secured to the lower end of the valve housing andhas a packing medium 48 in its lower end. Disposed within the lowerstring 41 is an inlet 49 having perforations 50 at its upper end. Thestring is enlarged at 5| to form a shoulder above a coni-formenlargement 52 integral with the inlet 49. Depending downwardly from themember 52 is a cylindrical inlet tube 53 reduced at its lower endasshown. The lower string 41 is seated at 5| of the enlargement 52 whilethe packing medium 48 provides a suitable seal whereby the pressuremedium has outlet only through the perforations 5|! of the member 49. Asuitable packing medium 52a is provided on the lower end of theconi-form member 52 while the member 53 is in sliding contact with thebore 40. An axial opening extends from the inlet 49 through the members52 and 53 and nds outlets through radial ports 49a provided in thereduced lower end of the member 53. By referring to Figure 11 it will beseen that the ports 49a communicate with a radial passage 96h which inturn is connected to a high pressure inlet port 88.

A valve member 54 is provided with the passage 4| of the member 42. Thisvalve has an upwardly extending stem 55 which stem cooperates with amember 55', this member 55 having intimate contact with the lowerreduced end of the member 53 (Figure l). A suitable packing medium 55ais disposed between the stem 55 and spacer member 55. A coil spring 56tends at all times to exert an upward pressure on the valve 54, saidvalve being capable of contacting the valve seat 43 in the bore 40 ofthe member 38.

A piston cylinder 51 is provided with a member 42', while a suitablemotor piston 58 is disposed therein. The usual pump or sucker rod 59 issuitably secured to the piston 58, said rod extending downwardly throughmembers 60 and 6| and thence into an open chamber 62 formed by aninternal sleeve 63. It is to be noted that all parts hereinafterdescribed which are disposed llle 17).

within the chamber s2 are operated in 011. That is, the chamber 62 iscompletely iilled with lubricating oil whereby the parts therein areconstantly and thoroughly lubricated. This sleeve 63 has an outerdiameter but slightly less than the inner diameter of the jacket 33. Asuitable stuffing box 60a is disposed within the member 68 packing oithe pump rod 59. A rod connection 59a is disposed immediately below asliding bearing member 64 while a member 64a complementary to the member64 is disposed within the lower end of the chamber 62.

The members 64 and 64a are separated by plates 65 (Figures 4, 5, 18 and19). These plates are suitably secured to the members 64 and 64a bybolts, screws or other suitable means. On the plates 65 and midwaybetween the members 64 and 64a is a spring controlled member 65a (Fig-'Ihis member controls the iiow of the pressure medium as willhereinafter be explained. The bottom of the chamber 62 is closed by amember 66 cooperating with a member 66a.

These members are retained in position by a bottom cap member 66', saidmember being externally threaded to cooperate with internal screwthreads in the lower end of the jacket 33. A suitable stuiing box ispositioned axially within the member 66.

A connecting collar 61 suitably connects the bottom hole strainer 68 tothe device 3|. Disposed within the strainer 68 is a working barrel 68having the usual travelling valve 68a and standing valve 68D, suitablypositioned therein.

In operation as the rod 59 moves downwardly under pressure, the rodconnector 59a will strike the member 64a immediately prior to thecompletion of a predetermined stroke of the pump. The action of theconnector 59a striking the member 64a will transmit a downward motion ofthe plates 65. The spring controlling member 65a, being connected to theplates 65, will move downwardly therewith. This movement of the memberwill release compression of a coil spring 69 and compress a second coilspring 69'.

By observing Figure 4, it may be seen that as the spring 69' iscompressed, a downward pressure will be brought to bear upon a member10. This member 10 is slidingly mounted in an upper bearing 1| and alower bearing 1|a. and is provided with outwardly' extending stops 12and 12' formed integral therewith.

Provided immediately above the stop 12 are semi-circular cut-outs 13 and13'. By observing Figure 5, it will be seen that a latch 14 controlledby a spring 14' is engaged within the lower notch 13.

The downward movement of the plates 65, members 64 and 64a, and 65a willexert a downward pressure on the member 18 through the medium of thespring 69'. This downward pressure will become suicient to release thelatch 14 against tension of the spring 14 thereby permitting movement ofthe member 10. This downward movement is continued until such time asthe latch will engage in the upper notch 13' thereby stopping thedownward movement.

A piston rod 15' being suitably connected with double plug pistons 15 isconnected to the upper stop 12 of the member 16. The pistons 15 are insliding contact with a bore 16 formed in the lower end of the member 6|and suitably packed off therein by a. stulng box 16'. Downward movementof the member 10, as has hereinbefore been explained, will of coursechange the positions of the pistons Disposed immediately above andinaxial alinement with the' bore 16 is a second bore 11. A plug piston11a is disposed within the bore 11 of l the member 6| and has anupwardly extending piston rod 18 connected to a double set of pistons 19and 19' disposed within a cylinder bore 88 provided in the member 60.Exhaust ports 8| arid 8|a are provided at the upper and lower endsoffthe bore 88. The bores 80 and 11 are suitably separated by a stufllngbox 18a. High pressure uid is introduced into a central port 82lcommunicating with the bore 80 and from suitable ports and passageshereinafter described. Upper ports 83 are disposed between the exhaustport 8l and the high pressure inlet port 82. This port 83communicateswith a port 83a which port further communicates with theupper end of the piston cylinder 51. A lower port 84 similar to theport. 83 is disposed between the high pressure inlet port 82 and thelower exhaust port 8in. This port 88 communicates with a port 84a whichin turn has its outlet in the lower end of the cylinder piston 51. Asecond high pressure inlet port 82a. is disposed within the cylinderiii. Upper and lower exhaust ports 85 and 85 communicate with the upperand lower ends of cylinder 16. A port 86 communicates with a port 86adisposed within thelower end ofthe cylinder bore 1l. A port 81 similarto the port 88 communicates with a port 81a having its outlet in theupper end of the cylinder bore 11.

Thus it may be seen that the high pressure inlet ports 82 and 82acommunicate with a common highpressure inlet port 88. Thus as air isintroduced into the inlet i9 and reaches the ports 89a, said air willpass into the common port 88 extending downwardly through the memibers88, 38, 42, 68 and 6I, respectively. In its passage through the member68 the port 82 is connected therewith, and at the termination of theport 88 in the member 6|, the port 82a is connected therewith.

By referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, it will be seen that in the positionshown the piston 58 is in its raised position as is the travelling valve88a. The passage of air in this position is from the port 82 to the port83, thence to the vertical passage 83a communicating with the upper endof the cylinder bore 51. Thus, the pressure will be exerted against theupper side of the piston 58 forcing the same downwardly. As has beenexplained, downward movement of the piston 58, piston rod 59 and rodconnection 59a will lower the plates 65 to change the position of themember 18. As this change occurs th plug pistons 15 are lowered' to theposition shown in Figure 21. Due to the lowering of the member 10 thesepistons have been lowered 'by the connection 15' to close oi the port 86from the high pressure port 82a. Simultaneously, the lower piston 15 hasopened the port 81 communicating with the port 81a having outlet nearthe upper end of the cylinder bore 11.

Thus, the high pressure flow is from the port 82a to the port 81 througha communicating passage Vto the port 81a thereby exerting its pressureon the upper side of the cylinder 11a forcing the same downwardly.Pressure that had been built up below the piston 11a is returned throughthe port 86a and 86 to the cylinder bore 16, then from the cylinder bore16 out through an upper exhaust 85 which communicates with a commonexhaust passage 89.

' 3 As the piston 11a is forced downwardly. the

position oi the double piston 19 and 19' will be changed to the position-shown in Figure 21. Thus it will be seen that the passage of the vhighpressure medium from the port 82 has been changed to nd outlet in theport 84 which port, as has been stated, communicates with the passage84a having outlet in the lower end of cylinder chamber 51, therebyexerting pressure on the bottom side of the cylinder tending to raisethe sam'e. The pressure that had been built up within the cylinder bore51 is released through the passage 83a to the port 83 into the cylinderbore 88, thence from the cylinder bore to the upper exhaust port 8|communicating with the common exhaust 89.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the plate 65 and members64, 64aand 65a in combination with the member 1|) and springs 69 and 69' may bereferred to as a trigger mechanism. This trigger mechanism serves toactuate the pistons 15 within the cylinder 16 thereby adjusting thepistons 19 and 19' in the cylinder 80 through the medium of the piston11a in the cylinder 11. Thus, with the pistons 15 in the position shownin Figure 3, pressure is forcing the piston 58 downwardly therebyproducing the down stroke of the pump. As has been explained, at thedownward stroke of the pump, the direction of the pressure medium ischanged whereby pressure is exerted to the'under side of the piston 58raising the same thereby producing the upward stroke of the pump.

As the pump is actuated, as has been hereinbefore explained, fluid willenter the strainer 68 through perforations 98 provided in the wall ofthe strainer, thence upwardly through the standing valve 68h, past thetravelling valve 68a, upwardly to ports 9| provided in the lower end ofthe member 86, said ports communicating with vertical uid passages 92(Figure 20) provided in the members 86 and 66a. The passages 92communicate with vertical tubes 93 (Figures 17, 18 and 19). These tubescommunicate with vertical fluid passages 94 provided in the members 6|,60, 42 and 38, respectively (Figures 9, l0, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16),the passages 94 communieating with a governor mechanism 95 provided inthe members 38 and 34. The tubes 93 extend the complete vertical lengthof the chamber 62, whereby the well uid is kept separate from thelubricating oil within the chamber 62. That is, the tubes provide thepassage means through the lubricating oil within the chamber 62.

'I'he governor 95 comprises a metering valve 96 at its lower end and aiiuid outlet valve 96a at its upper end, and two valves being connectedby a common valve stem 96.

A stuffing box 91 suitably separates the valves 96 and 96a. By observingFigure 8 it will be seen that as the pressure medium passes from theinlet 49 out through ports 49a, this pressure medium will enter apassage 96h, passing the metering valve 96 and into the common highpressure inlet passage 88. It is to be noted that the valve 96 is nevercompletely seated whereby as long as the compressor (not shown) isoperating the pressure medium is actuating the piston 58 at all times.At such time as a sufiicient amount of uid passes from the fluidpassages 94 into the governor 95, this i'luid will raise the valve 96aas Well as the metering valve 96,' thereby allowing a greater amount ofpressure medium to enter into the high pressure inlet port 88. From theforegoing, it may be seen that in the event no fluid is being pumped theamount of pressure input is decreased by the action of the valve 96 butis not vcompletely cut oil. The provision .of the governor 95 eliminatesany possibility of the pump slapping or banging due to a greatlydecreased load. The pump, as has been stated, will be actuated so longas a compressor (not shown) is introducing a pressure medium and as thevolume of fluid being pumped is increased so will the pressure inputincrease.

By observing Figure 1-, it will be seen that an exhaust valve 98 isprovided. This valve communicates with the common exhaust outlet 89Vhereinbefore described. The provision of this valve enables the exhaustof the pressure medium to enter the well casing around the tubing. butin the event a uid level of the well stands above the top of the exhaustvalve 98, this valve will prohibit passage of that fluid into thepressure lines of the device.

In the event that the user of the device desires to run what is known asa dry string, he

' would then desire to set a packer (not shown) in the well casing 30and "swab out the casing above the packer. For accomplishing this avalve 98a is provided. A strainer 99 is suitably secured to the upperend of the valve 98a while spring actuated ball and seat 99a aredisposed below the valve 98a. Thus, by observing Figure 1 it will beseen that on the up stroke of the swab (not shown) within the tubing 32a vacuum is created to unseat the ball 99a thereby allowing fluidstanding within the well casing 30 to enter through the strainer 99,valve 99a and into the bore 31 and upwardly through the tube 32.

In Figures 24 to 27 a slightly modied form of the invention is shown. Inthis form of the invention the tubes 93 provided within the chamber 62are eliminated as is the lubricating oil within that chamber. Theworking barrel 68 is connected directly to the member 66. The rod 59 isactuated in the same manner as the hereinbefore described device. Asiiuid passes up the p working barrel it enters ports |00 provided in theouter periphery of a bushing |0| surrounding the pump rod 59 andsupporting the same the vertical length of the members 66 and 66a. Thewell fluid then enters the chamber 62 thereby lubricating the mechanismswithin that chamber hereinbefore described. Peripheral grooves |02 areprovided in the member 6|, which member is disposed immediately abovethe chamber 62 closing the same.

Thus, it will be seen that the provision of many ports through themembers 6|, 66a and 66 are eliminated as well as the tubing within thechamber 62. This form may be used only in comparatively clean wells inwhich only a small amount of dirt or grit is found whereas if a wellcontaining a large amount of sand in the iiuid were operated in thismanner, the damage to the '.moving parts within the chamber 62 by thegritty fluid would make this form impractical.

In Figures 28 and 29 still another form of the invention is shown. Inthis form the eccent-ricgvalve mechanism including the piston 15 iseliminated as well as the actuating piston 11a with its accompanyingcylinder bore 11. The structure of the pump actuating piston with itsaccompanying valve including the piston 19 and 19 is retainedthroughout. The piston rod 18 is extended downwardly to be secured tothe top of the stop 12 in lieu of the control valve rod 15'. In thisform a pump rod connector |05 is substituted for the connector 59a, thisconnector having an outwardly extending boss or lug |05a formed integraltherewith. 'Ihe rod connector serving to perform the same operation asthe members 6l, 64a and rod connector '59a described in the first formin conjunction with a vertical rod |06. An upper cross arm |01, securedto the upper end of the'rod |06, substitutes for the member 6I while alower cross arm |01a similarly secured to the vertical rod, substitutesfor the member 64a. The vertical rods |06 displace the plates 65.

In this form upper and lower latches |08 and |08 respectively, aresubstituted for the single lower latch 14. It will be noted that thelatches |06 and |00' are rectangular in shape, it therefore beingnecessary to employ cams |09 pivotally secured to the latches wherebythe members |01 or |01a may unseat the latches |08 or |09' depending onthe course of travel of the rod connector |05. Suitable bearings ||0serve to guide the rod |06 in its vertical movement.

The operation of this form is identical with those hereinbeforedescribed except for the fact that the pump piston' control valve 19 and19 are actuated directly through the medium of the springs 69 and 69.'I'hus as the connector |06 travels downwardly just prior to thetermination of its stroke, the boss 05a will cause a downward movementof the rod |06 and its accompanying upper and lower cross arms. Thecross arm |01a will strike the lower cam |09 thereby releasing the latch|08' from its retaining notch thereby allowing the compressed spring 69to force the member 10 downwardly. Downward movement of the member 10 iscontinued until such time as the upper latch |06 falls into itsaccompanying groove thereby stopping the movement of the member 10 andsimultaneously changing the course of the pressure medium in cooperationwith the pistons 19 and 19. It is to be noted that the latches |08 and|08' are controlled by coil springs v| From the foregoing it will beseen that the structure hereinbefore described will handle any desirableamount of well fluid being pumped.

Manifestly, the construction as shown and described is capable of somemodication and such modification as may be construed within the scopeand meaning of the appended claims is also considered to be within thespirit and intent of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid operated well pump including in combination with a string oftubing, a body comprised of axially aligned sections arranged to besuspended by said tubing below the fluid level in a well, a cylinder insaid body, a main piston in said cylinder, a main piston rod, a workingbarrel, a standing valve therein, a travelling valve reciprocated bysaid piston in said working barrel, a pair of elongated, axially alignedchambers disposed in said body in parallel relation to said cylindercommunicating one with the other and with said cylinder, a pair ofvalves in one of said chambers spaced apart on a common stem, a highpressure fluid passage through said body coinmunicating with said latterchamber to admit iiuid pressure for actuating said valves to therebycontrol the introduction of iiuid pressure into said cylinder, a pair ofplug pistons in the other of said axially aligned chambers, a commonpiston rod therefor, means carried jointly by said latter piston rod andsaid main piston rod for controlling the movements of said plug pistonsto thereby control the fluid pressure actuating said valves and todetermine the extent of travel of said main piston, means for exhaustingoperating iluid pressure above said body, means through said bodyeffecting passage of well fluid upwardly therethrough in a courseseparate from said high pressure uid and valve means responsive to thepressure of the well fluid discharged by the pump for restricting theinow of high pressure uid in accordance with changes in well uidpressure.

2. A fluid operated well pump including in combination with a tubingstring, a body suspended thereby below the iiuid level in a well, aworking barrel, a standing valve therein, a travelling valve in saidworking barrel, a uid passage for conveying Well liuid from said workingbarrel through said body to the surface, a cylinder in said body, apiston therein, a piston rod connecting said pisn ton and saidtravelling valve, a pair of intercommunicating and elongated chambersconnected to and parallel with said cylinder, valves in said chambers,means for introducing a surface pressure medium into said body separatefrom said well fluid, spring means controlled by said piston foractuating one of said valves to admit said pressure medium to one ofsaid chambers to actuate the valve therein and to thereby introduce saidpressure medium into said cylinder to actuate said piston, said springmeans also effective t0 limit the travel of said piston, means forexhausting said pressure medium from said body, and

means responsive to the pressure of the well iluid discharged by thepump to control the reciprocating speed of said piston in accordancewith the varying pressures of said well fluid.

3. A uid operated well pump including in combination with a tubingstring, a body comprised of axially alined sections suspended by saidtubing string below the fluid level in a well, a main cylinder in saidbody, a piston therein, a working barrel depending from said body, astanding valve therein,a travelling valve operated by said piston insaid working barrel, means for introducing a surface uid pressure mediuminto said body, said body having chambers therein parallel to said maincylinder and having communication with each other and with said maincylinder, valves in said chambers, means under constant spring tensionoperative to actuate oneof said valves to admit uid under pressure to anadjacent chamber to actuate the valve therein and to operate said pistonby introduction of uid pressure into said main cylinder, said springtensioned means and said valves being also eiective to limit the travelof said piston, a iluid pressure exhaust, means for conveying well fluidfrom said working barrel, through said body to the surface in a courseseparate from the operating iiuid pressure and means responsive to thepressure of the well uid discharged by the pumpto govern thereciprocating speed of said piston.

RALPH P. GRAYSON.

